It's Ellie's Birthday Week!

This week, the girl will turn three years old.

I'm not really sure how that happened because I'm pretty certain that it was just like 2 months ago that I was bathing her in a kitchen sink, right? RIGHT?!

I'm so excited for all the activity the next 7 days will hold. A birthday party, the circus, family coming into town, all of our Louisiana family sleeping under one roof (our roof!) and getting to celebrate our darling girl. I've got a lot to do this week before everyone arrives. I need to make the much needed Party City run, as well as a trip to Target. I've got to wrap her presents and do way too much laundry. I've got to get the house ready and grocery shop.

I've got lots of lists going. A list for things I need for the party, a list of things I need for our out of town guests, a list of to-do's for around the house.... I'm ready to do this!

This picture was taken yesterday when I had to walk into her room during her nap. I just about melted. She's such a big girl, but still such a baby all at the same time.

I've got my own little personal chef.

She told me last night, "my birthday is next to-mornin." She has zero concepts of days and weeks and hours :)

As for this little man growing in my belly, I'm 23 weeks and shocked at how active this kid is. He moves and makes his presence known so much more than Ellie did at this point. He is a hyper little thing. He kicks me frequently and at random times of the day and night. A few nights ago I laid in bed awake for over an hour (around 3am, mind you!) while my little mister did his morning exercise routine. Kicking. Stretching. There might have been some Zumba involved, I'm not sure. 

The fact that he will be here in 4 months is overwhelming and exciting. It is already a very hot Summer - I am sweating just getting the mail from the mailbox - but I'm very much hoping for a mild Fall! 

Off to cross things off my list! Happy Monday, ladies and gents!

I'm Writing in Silence

Let me explain what's going on right now over here in this house.

I'M HERE BY MYSELF.

It. Is. SO. Quiet. I don't really know what to do.

Ellie is at a little day camp and Grant is working and for the first time in months (literally) I am here, in this house, alone. I am sitting at my desk. Drinking some coffee and crossing some things off the to do list. It. Is. Glorious.

Have I showed y'all my office yet? I can't remember. If not, here it is:

I absolutely love it in here. My friend and decorator, Liz, helped me kinda put all my ideas together into something wonderful. The rug is from HomeGoods, the chair is from a friend who was giving away a free chair, the drapes are from Target, the desk is from Ikea, and those are 4 bookshelves from Ikea pushed together to give the idea of built-ins. I filled the shelves with photos of my favorite things and people. 

In the above pic, the blue ribbon at the bottom is from the half-marathon I ran back in January. I keep it there to remind myself that there was that one time that I did something athletic.

Also, on an opposite wall that you can't see from the desk picture, are these beautiful wooden angel wings my friend Liz found for me. I LOVE THEM.

Aren't they so cool?! My mom and I kinda always had an angel thing when I was a little girl, so they remind me of her. Grant did not enjoy hanging them, but I really enjoy looking at them!

Anyways,  I love this room. I do my Bible study in here in the mornings and I absolutely love writing in this room. My piano is in here too. I don't get to play much lately, but I love that one day I will teach my kiddos their first piano lesson right here in this room on the same piano that I learned to play on. Full circle, y'all.

Okay, the fact is that I feel really weird amidst all this silence. I'm off to have a conversation with my dog. 

One of My Most Favorite Weekends in the History of Ever

Why did this weekend have to end?! We just had the most fun, and it was so relaxing, and there was so many things accomplished around the house and so much time spent with those we love and so much food eaten. I'll try to recap it here, but I'm not sure I can do it justice....

Because of the celebration of Independence Day (Happy Birthday, America!!) Grant had Friday off of work. We slept in (well, Grant and I slept in) (Ellie was up before 7am and was promptly put in between us in our bed with an iPad so Mommy and Daddy could sleep for a little longer) and then Grant and Ellie made pancakes. She was so happy to help stir and then Grant even put some strawberry and powdered sugar on hers. She said her pancakes had snowflakes on them. Grant must've been in a wonderful mood or something cause he also hung drapes for me in the breakfast room. Aren't they pretty?!

We then headed out for a showing of the new Pixar movie, "Inside Out." It was so funny and cute. It was waaaay over Ellie's head as far as understanding the concept but it definitely held her attention and she liked it. I did tear up on two separate occasions because I'm a big sap and Pixar has a way of destroying me with well timed musical scores and incredible acting from cartoon characters. Go see the movie! It's really sweet.

Also, we let Ellie dress herself for our outing to the movies. She chose an Anna and Elsa shirt, some jeggings, white sandals, and a backwards hat.

Friday afternoon I took a nap while Ellie napped (GLORY!) and then we headed out to Cypress to have BBQ with my parents. It was a blast and after the meal we headed out to the porch of the restaurant where Ellie ran around, my mom and I had a visit, and my dad and Grant sat in pigs and played checkers, because this is Texas.

Saturday morning was the 4th of July, so we started our day by heading out for donuts. Our neighborhood has an annual 4th of July parade, so we brought our donuts back to the hood and opened the back of my car for a little donut and parade watching tailgate.

Ellie LOVED it. She saw the firetruck and started jumping. Everyone waved at her and threw candy at her. We brought home way too much candy but Grant seems to be singlehandedly taking care of that problem. 

For lunch on Saturday, we had the absolute delight of meeting up with our friends Justin and Julie who moved to Austin a few years ago, and since then have had themselves a pair of twins! Josie and Judah were the most squishable little things I ever did see. AREN'T THEY LITTLE DOLL BABIES?!

Ellie even got a little big sister practice with sweet Josie girl...

It was so nice to catch up with Justin and Julie and love on those sweet little love bugs!

Saturday afternoon while Ellie napped, Grant and I worked on his office as it still hadn't really been put together since we moved in back in March. We also watched golf and took naps. 

I AM TELLING Y'ALL - this weekend was GLORIOUS.

Saturday night we picked up some Whataburger and met some people from church in the back of a Target parking lot to watch a big fireworks show. La Centerra is a big shopping area in the Katy area and they do a big display every year. Parking is crazy though and to get a good spot you have to get there at a ridiculous time. So, a friend recommended the nearby Target parking lot and I'm so glad we did it! We sat in folding chairs and the kiddos ran around and the fireworks were great and then we packed up and headed home and it was so easy and wonderful. And to top it off, it actually felt pretty good outside! And this is Texas! In July! And I'm pregnant! And somehow I wasn't hot!?! COULD THIS WEEKEND GET BETTER?!

WELL YES IT COULD.

Yesterday morning Grant was up and at 'em and made me scrambled eggs and bacon because he is wonderful. We headed to church and it was just amazing. Ellie had a wonderful time in Sunday School (she still hasn't stopped talking about it) and the pastor gave an incredibly Biblically-based and incredibly applicable sermon about delighting in the Word of God. The worship was so great and it was just a wonderful service. 

After church, we headed to Whole Foods. We ate lunch as a family in the Whole Foods (I LOVE ME A BUFFET LINE) and then we grocery shopped together. I actually love grocery shopping as a family because I never forget anything and Grant gets to contribute. Plus, Ellie gets to push around a little child size shopping cart and I'm not sure anything really gives her greater joy. And to top it off, I don't have to load or unload the car! 

We got home, Ellie napped for forever and Grant and I finished up his office. It's DONE and he has a much more organized space to get his work done.  I feel better as well as that room was the last room to be filled with boxes and those are gone.

And finally, last night we went over to Ricky and Olga's house for a July 5th party. Justin and Tiffany were there. The little girls played in the playroom and the adults hung out and talked and ate all the yummy food Ricky and Olga provided. Sweet Olga is like 35 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH TWINS and her house looked amazing and she had steaks, potatoes, veggies, salad, and dessert for us. She's my hero. We finished the evening on the back porch with fireworks and it was just the best night.

IT WAS THE BEST NIGHT.

IT WAS THE BEST WEEKEND.

Now we're back to normal life, but I am so thankful for this weekend and for my people. God Bless America, indeed.  

JULY, Y'ALL

It's July! How did we get here? Wasn't it just New Years Eve? When did this happen? How are we already halfway through the year? And I feel obligated to tell you that Hobby Lobby has Christmas decor READY TO GO. We've apparently skipped right over 6 major holidays.

Yesterday I went on a lamp hunt. I was on a mission for lamps for our bedroom. I went to HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, and TJ Maxx. I struck out at all 3 places. I did, however, find this darling rug for my kitchen sink area and it was only $16.99 at HomeGoods so I felt pretty good about that.

In summary, I returned home from my shopping trip to 3 wonderful stores having only spent $16.99 plus tax. Is there some kind of medal someone should place around my neck? I mean.

So anyways, we are here in July and there are so many wonderful things happening this month. The 4th of July is upon us, so Grantley has a day off work. This month Ellie turns 3 which means there will be a fun birthday party and lots of family will be in town. We will also be going to see Grant's family in New Orleans (we haven't been in SO. LONG.) and I've got a few fun things planned on the week days in between.

As for today, we have a big fat nothing planned and I am very thankful for that. If you look at the rest of my calendar, it doesn't look quite the same as today. God gives us little breaks to keep us sane, I do believe.

Speaking of calendars, I'd like to take a moment to showcase my favorite planner! A lot of people use Erin Condren - and I do love all her stuff - but I always felt it a little too pricey for our budget. A few years ago, someone (I can't remember who!) directed me to Plum Paper and I have been in love ever since! This is my 3rd year in a row to use their planners and I've been absolutely thrilled with them. I just recently received my new one for this year and I love getting it all filled in and set up.

They have so many colors and fonts and looks to choose from, and you can of course choose one that includes a photo. I chose to keep it clean this year:

There is also lots of colorful tabs to keep things easy to find. I'm sure you're impressed with my excellent photography.

For the inside, each month has a full month spread that I use primarily. It's great for at-a-glance and for people like me that need to see the month as a whole.

Each month also has a week by week breakdown. You can choose from several different week layouts depending on how your brain best functions, and this year I've chosen this:

On the left side of the page I write to do lists for the week, meals, and random notes. On the right I get a little bit more detailed about my appointments, etc. 

Also included in the planner are pages of notes and pockets for receipts, invitations, and other things you need to keep. 

I paid about $35.00 for this planner, plus shipping. It takes a few weeks but it is so, so worth it. Get one before the school year starts! I know for someone that is such a technology lover like me, it may seem weird that I am still using a paper planner. I tried to convert to just my phone, but that just didn't work for me. I need to write things down to remember them! 

You can check out Plum Paper here or go directly to their Etsy shop here.

Also, this is not sponsored by Plum Paper or anything. Just love their planners and wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Or at least from the blog!

Happy July, and have a wonderful day!